Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-07
EMpoR1A AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

This new church edifice, situated at the
corner Of Emporia avenue and Tenth street,
was dedicated to the worship of God last
and impressive service. The sermon was
preached by Rev. w. F. Harper, pastor Of
the First Baptist church. And although
Wichita audiences have been listening with
delight to this preacher for more than five
years, he was never heard with more in
terest than on this occasion, as he discoursed
in his own peculiarly eloquent manner upon
Paul's wonderful sermon, "Mars Hill J"
Rev. A Fl. Post of Clinton, Iowa,
invoked divine blessing, Rev. B.
J. Davis of Mitchell, Indiana, read
the Scriptures, Rev. J. d. P. Hungate of
this city offered prayer. and Rev. j. c. Post,
who was the first Baptist pastor in Wichita,
coming here in 1872, led in the prayer of ded-
ication.
Mrs. j. P. Furlong presided at the organ,
and the singing was by the congregation and
the following excellent quartet: Mrs.
Schwartz, Mrs. Stanley and Messrs Shaw
and Coates.
The building is a substantial brick struc
ture 36x66 feet standing upon a high stone
foundation, and is Of a modified gothic style
of architecture. The principal entrance is
through large square tower at the south
west corner of the building. The walls
of the audience room are beautifully
tinted, and the woodwork finished in the
national colors. The pulpit is very fine
piece of workmanship in solid walnut, and is
the gift of Mr.. Wellman. the foreman Of
construction. In the front of the building,
to the left of the tower, and separated from
the audience room by sliding glass doors, is
the lecture room, over the lecture room the
gallery. In the rear Of the pulpit are two
class rooms, also opening into the audience
room by glass doors. Beneath the pulpit
platform is the baptistery. Total seating ca
pacity from $50 to 500. The boiler room and
kitchen are in the basement.
In the superior workmanship of its con-
struction and the convenience of its appoint
ments this is one of the finest church edi- |
fees in the city.
The building committee of which DR.. II. o. |
Burleigh was chairman, made the following |
report as to the cost:
alue OF lotS. ..-.....-. ........... eo,UoOU
Cost Of building Observation-Disclosures. 6,54S. % |
Cost of furnishings. ................ l, 1870. so
AoIaI a SlU ioo| |
OF this amount DR.. Burleigh donated the
lots and subscribed $1,000. In addi-
ton to his subscription, members of the First
church and friends in the vicinity of the new
church paid So, 1856. As chairman of the
building committee DIR. Burleigh had ad-
vanced s2,3S1.79. This entire amount he
donated on the day of dedication, and the
house was given to the Lord free of debt.
Mrs. Burleigh and her little daughter Lille
furnished the house in the most elegant man.
Ter, seating it with the best opera chairs in
he market from Thos. Kane & Co., Chicago
The services of dedication. concluded, Rev.
". F. Harper called on the congregation
present to start the subscription for the sal
'ry of the pastor-elect, Rev. B. j. Davis. In
! little more than five minutes $500 was sub
cribed and the congregation joined most
earthly in singing "Praise God from Whom
ii blessings flow" and were dismissed Reg
lar services will be held in the new church
very Sabbath. The Sunday school will be
rganized next Sunday at $50 a. m.